The killing of another African-American teenager by police has shaken the US, as Americans were already angered over the earlier controversial murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a volunteer watch guard.

The 19-year-old college student, Kendrec McDade, was shot and killed by two Pasadena police officers on March 24.

The incident occurred when a Pasadena resident, Oscar Carrillo, called the police to report that two armed men had robbed him of his computer and backpack and that one of them had pointed a gun at him.

Moments later, two police officers encountered McDade, who was running on the street at the time. When he made a move at his waistband, one of officers opened fire and killed the student.

However, no weapons or any of the stolen items were found on him.

Two days after the shooting, police arrested Carrillo on charges of involuntary manslaughter, blaming his false claim about his assailants brandishing a gun for the police shooting.

The incident came as public protests continue across the US over the killing of another unarmed 17-year-old African American by an armed neighborhood-watch volunteer.

On February 26, George Zimmerman shot dead Trayvon Martin outside his father’s house, claiming he killed the teen in self-defense after being severely beaten by Martin. However, the police video footage of Zimmerman’s arrest showed no sign of injuries on him.

Meanwhile, Human rights groups insist that the shooting of Martin was racially motivated.

Trayvon's case has once again stirred serious concerns over a growing trend of racial discrimination against African-American communities in the US.

Parents of slain African-American teen, Kendrec McDade, sue police

Wed Apr 4, 2012 5:28AM GMTpresstv.ir

The parents of an unarmed African-American teenager fatally shot by the police in the US city of Pasadena have filed a lawsuit against the city’s police department.

The 19-year-old college student, Kendrec McDade, was shot and killed by two Pasadena police officers on March 24.

His parents have filed lawsuits against the Pasadena police chief, the two police officers who shot McDade and a detective.

The lawsuit alleges that the Pasadena police acted unlawfully, arguing the officers never saw anything resembling a gun, never yelled any commands to identify themselves before opening fire and handcuffed the dying man.

It also refers to other officer-involved shootings, beatings and harassment of African-American men in Pasadena during the last three years, alleging that the police department routinely tries to cover up such incidents.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial to determine unspecified punitive and monetary damages.

The fatal incident occurred when a Pasadena resident, Oscar Carrillo, called the police to report that two armed men had robbed him of his computer and backpack.

Moments later, two police officers encountered McDade, who was running on the street at the time. When he made a move at his waistband, the officers opened fire and killed the student.

However, no weapons or any of the stolen items were found on him.

Police arrested the 911 caller last week on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter after he admitted lying to police about the men having guns.

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